Improvement in shawl-strap handles



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY EDWARDS, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN SHAWL-STRAP HANDLES- Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 1 62,360, dated April 20, 1875; application filed July 30, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY EDWARDS, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a certain new and Improved Shawl-Strap, of which the following is a specification:

This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 represents a sectional side view. Fig. 2 isa transverse section.

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.

This invention consists in combining, with the end flanges of a curved rigid handle two clamps or buckles in such a manner that, by the action of the handle itself, the straps secured in the clamps or buckles are kept apart, and a bundle fastened in said straps can be carried with ease and convenience. With the curved rigid handle and the clamps or buckles is combined a flexible cross-bar, which may be used for the support of a central strap.

The clamps or retaining devices are constructed of U-shaped guides, each containing a follower and a set-screw, whereby the straps can be secured in any desired position without sustaining the slightest injury.

In the drawing, the letter A designates a handle, which is made of sheet metal or any other rigid material, being curved in the middle, so as to provide aconvenient hold for the hand. From this curved central portion of said handle extend rectilinear flanges a a, to the ends of which are fastened the clamps or retaining devicesB. In these retaining devices are secured the straps O, and if these straps are carried round a bundle or package and drawn up tight they are effectually prevented by the handle A from slipping toward or from each other, and the package can be carried without danger that the same might work loose. To prevent the package from getting injured by coming in direct contact with the metallic flanges a a of the handle, I line said flanges with a piece, D, of leather or other soft and flexible material, and, if desired, this lining may be extended clear across the curved portion of the handle, and an additional guide or retaining device, E, may be secured thereto for the purpose of receiving a central strap in case the nature of the package should render the use of this additional strap desirable. The retaining devices B, which I use by preference, are composed of U shaped guides, each of which contains a follower, b, and a set screw, 0. Said guides are secured to the flanges a a of the handle by means of rivets d, and one end of each of the straps O is firmly secured under one of the guides by a rivet, e. The loose ends of said straps are carried round the package and through the guides B beneath the followers 12,, and after the straps have been drawn up tight they are secured in position by the set-screws c, which serve to press the followers upon the straps, whereby the latter can be securely retained at any desired point, and at the same time they are not exposed to the least injury. The curved part of the handle is lined on its inner surface with a pad of leather orother suitable material, so as to prevent the metal portion of the handle from injurin g the hand.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- The rigid handle A, having flanges a a and straps 0 attached thereto, in combination with a guide, B, follower O, and set-screw 0, substantiall y as described.

HENRY EDWARDS. WVit-nesses:

W. HAUFF, E. F. KASTENI-IUBER. 

